A California parolee who was released from prison earlier this year randomly stabbed a Walmart employee to death on Monday, authorities said.
Suspect Ronnie Hinton, 29, turned himself in to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department after committing the unprovoked murder.
“This appears to be a random incident and there was no interaction between the suspect and victim prior to the assault,” the sheriff’s office said.
US murder fugitive ‘El Diablo’ found working as a Mexican police officer after 20 years
Ronnie Hinton, 29, is accused of randomly stabbing and killing a Walmart employee in Lake Elsinore, California. (KTTV, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department)
Police in Lake Elsinore, 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles, were dispatched to the Walmart around 7 a.m. on a report of an assault with a deadly weapon.
According to the sheriff’s office, when deputies arrived on scene they found Jessica Morales, 65, of nearby Menifee, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Morales was treated but later died inside the store.
“She was a really good person. A great friend. Everybody loved her,” said one of Morales’ colleagues, who asked not to be named. Fox Los AngelesColleagues said Morales had worked at Walmart for more than 25 years.
Shocking video shows Florida carjacker abandoning kidnapped child on the side of the road
Police tape is placed outside a Walmart store in Lake Elsinore, California, after an employee was stabbed to death on Monday. (KTTV)
Later that day, Hinton turned himself in to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center.
Hinton was released from state prison earlier this year after serving time for robbery and was on parole at the time of the murder.
No motive for the killing has been released. Walmart said it was “heartbroken” to hear of Morales’ death.
A Walmart parking lot in Lake Elsinore, California. (KTTV)
Click here to get the FOX News app
“The store will remain closed while we assist police with their investigation,” the retail chain said in a statement. “We offer our condolences and support to the family at this difficult time and will continue to work with employees and offer them assistance as needed.”
